Hearing Aids

Hearing aids can help improve hearing and speech in children by maximizing the amount of auditory information the child receives. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, more than three million American children have hearing loss, and about 1.3 million of them younger than 3 years of age.

Hearing aids are electronic devices worn in the ear that amplify sound. These devices come in an assortment of styles, sizes and colors, and have a variety of features. Our pediatric audiologist will recommend the appropriate hearing aid for your child and will work with your family to ensure that your child is receiving optimal benefit from the device.

The Process

The need for a hearing aid is determined by our team of audiologists and otolaryngologists. To begin the process for obtaining a hearing aid for your child, two main documents are required:

  • Medical clearance from an ENT physician (otolaryngologist)
  • Hearing test completed within 6 months prior to ordering hearing aid

Next, a consultation appointment is set up with you and your child. At this appointment, our pediatric audiologist may review the following items, including but not limited to: 

  • Your child’s hearing loss, specific communication needs, expectations for wearing a hearing aid, answer your questions, etc.
  • Funding for the hearing aid (insurance, out-of-pocket payment, or additional funding sources)
  • Manufacturer and warranty information
  • Appropriate styles and types of hearing aids
  • Earmold impressions may be taken if necessary
  • The need for follow-up for hearing-aid fitting

Once specific hearing aids have been selected, you and your child will return for a hearing aid fitting/orientation. During this appointment, the audiologist will cover the following items which may include but are not limited to:

  • Computer programming of hearing aids done by the audiologist
  • Verification of appropriate amplification/volume emitted by the hearing aids
  • Child/parent orientation to the devices
  • Basic troubleshooting techniques
  • Scheduling of follow-up appointments

After the initial trial period of getting a hearing aid, you and your child are required to attend periodic appointments with our pediatric audiologists in order to address several items which may include but are not limited to:

  • Routine maintenance, troubleshooting and servicing of the devices
  • Determine the need for new earmolds
  • Periodic hearing tests with and without amplification
  • Hearing-aid verification
  • Adjustments to the hearing-aid programming

Throughout this process, our pediatric audiologists are willing to help answer any questions or address problems related to the hearing aids.

Hearing Aid/Audiology Hotline: (757) 388-6234

To schedule an appointment: (757) 388-6200